Back to Life...Back to Reality

Now that I'm back in the real world, I've been pleasantly surprised to see just how easy it's been to ease back into things. The first week back at work went so much better then I had anticipated. It's not as if I thought things would fall apart in my absence, I just know how busy things have been and fully expected there to be a lot on my plate when I finally made it back from my three week trip. So what a pleasant surprise to come back and find that I didn't have an intense and stressful workload to welcome me back.

I love my co-workers and completely appreciate how hard they all worked and how much slack they picked up so that I didn't turn into a crazy lunatic upon my arrival back at work.

I also found that I really did a great job of taking care of myself and trying to maintain a personal balance. Clancy and I started off our days going for a walk, doing a set of the stairs, trying a little bit of running. I came home, made myself breakfast, actually sat down at the table to eat and read a magazine and then took a shower, put on normal people clothing and then started work.

For some of you this may seem crazy that I'm pointing out such a normal routine- you know, things like showering and wearing clean clothing. But when you work from home, it's so easy to roll out of bed and plant your ass at your desk and work from the wee hours of the morning well into the late night hours. Sometimes you work only in pajamas, or you may graduate to sweat pants and a t-shirt. Maybe you'll lose track of when the last time was you took a shower. These are the glamorous realities of someone who works from home.

While I was on vacation, it was great to get up, take a shower and make myself look presentable before going out into the real world. It was a great way to start the day and I realized that I needed to make that simple change upon coming home.

Last week I found that I felt so much better when I started work at a normal hour AFTER doing some things for myself. I loved being outside first thing in the morning. I loved starting the day with a nice, healthy meal. It was just really nice and something I'm hopeful I'll continue.

This week I'm in San Diego for work and I'm actively trying to build some Molly time into this trip. I've had a whirlwind of a month and after last Saturday, I'm happy to see all the birthday celebrations come to an end and allow life to resume back to normal as much as possible.

All in all, it feels good to be home. I'm still doing a good job of being mindful of how I spend my time and I'm feeling the benefits of how that affects me mentally and physically. And I like how it feels.

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Stateside 30th

The last of the 30th Birthday celebrations came to an end and I've gotta admit, it's nice to have all of this behind us. Or me specifically. There's been so much planning and energy and time and money put into this birthday and while I've absolutely loved (almost) every last bit of it, there's a lot to love about life returing to normal.

Our stateside 30th bash was a very fun time. I had entirely too much to drink and am now claiming that I won't be drinking again until I turn 40. Although that may be a stretch, I do think it's fair to say that it's likely I won't be drinking heavily until St. Patrick's Day, 2009.

We had a great turnout and it was so fun to celebrate with so many of our wonderful friends. I'm thankful for all the support and just how much fun everyone made it.

Here are just a handful of shots from the night:


Twins celebrate 30 stateside


Some strange orange lady at the Speak Easy


Only missing Kara


Meghan & Molly


Blowing out the candles


Party's over

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Goodbye Ireland...for now

I’ve been listening to a song on repeat during this trip. It’s called What A Day by Greg Laswell. The first part goes, “What a day to be alive. What a day to realize I’m not dead. What a day to save a dime…” The first part of the song resonated so much with me on this trip, especially that first line which I belted out with gusto everytime I heard the song come through the short rotation in the CD player. (Travel tip- be sure to burn a CD to listen to in the rental car so you have some good music you can depend on). Each day was one wonderful adventure after another and I’m so grateful that it happened. More than that though, I’m proud of myself for going through with it and making it happen.

Although I’m not ready to go, I’m okay with going back home. I miss Steve & Clancy, Susannah, The Girls, my friends, my home and my bed. But I’m very content here. I have really enjoyed this last leg especially. Getting the chance to do my own thing, on my own time has been completely restorative and liberating. It’s helped me slow things down a bit. Being in Ireland you kinda can’t help but slow things down. But as I was meandering around the back roads of Ireland only having a partial clue of where I was and where I was headed, I felt happy and content and completely at peace with having no real agenda, no real contact with people and just being left to my own thoughts and wishes.

In hindsight I love the way the trip was broken up. I loved starting out all in a group touring all around. It was exhausting going to a new place each night, but we got to see so much of the country. Going to The Thatch and celebrating our birthday there with 14 friends from all over the US was an amazing experience. I still can’t believe that we managed to pull that off. I was so happy to introduce everyone to Gene and to how much authentic and genuine Irish fun you can (and will) have when you visit The Thatch. It was by far the best night of the trip. I got to see parts of Ireland that I’d never seen before- Dingle- and felt once again, that my heart really belongs along the west coast, especially County Kerry- nicely enough where some of our family originated. It’s so beautiful and green and I loved being near the ocean. After being in the country for five nights, it felt great to get into the city. Although I was hesitant about Dublin, not loving it the first, and only, time I went in 2000, it was a great contrast to what we had been doing. Apart from the fact that we were staying in the same place for a few nights at a time, it felt good to be in a city and get the energy that comes with being around so many other people, places and sounds.

The second leg, going to Italy, was intended just to see Amy and meet Rebecca and Amy’s other friends. I didn’t do any research and had no agenda. Amy and I figured we’d wing it; I knew no matter what we did (even if it wasn’t anything at all) it’d be great to just be in each other’s company. And you know, get some pizza  But I got to see three totally different places in Italy: Milan, Venice and Lake Como. We did so much walking there too. Everywhere we went we used public transportation and then hoofed it around our final destinations. There were also a lot of stairs involved in Italy. There are 56ish steps to get up to Amy’s apartment and we did a lot of climbing up and down. After spending so much time in a car in Ireland, it felt fantastic to be outside and moving. Apart from that, Italy was really beautiful. Beautiful in such a different way than Ireland. Impressive buildings and history in a way that you don’t see in the same way in Ireland. Although I find the people to be completely unfriendly (to be fair it’s hard to top Ireland but still), there was so much beauty in each place we went to and I loved getting to see it all in such a short period of time.

The last leg here, the solo trip, was meant to be an opportunity for me to just do my own thing and most importantly, spend time by myself. As I’ve mentioned before, it’s not something I’m good at or comfortable with. I always find ways to fill my time so that I’m always keeping busy…so this week has been a great exercise in helping me understand and benefit from the importance of slowing the f down and living a quieter, simpler, easier life. I’ve loved talking with and meeting new people. I’ve enjoyed becoming comfortable with eating (and sometimes drinking) on my own. I’m starting to understand how valuable it is to spend time with yourself. It’s helped me become clearer on how I should be spending my time at home and how easy it is for me to consciously slow down the pace of my life. There are enormous benefits to doing so and I’m looking forward to seeing how it affects me at home.

I don’t hate my life by any means. There are a million things I love about my life and am looking forward to resuming when I get home today (waaaa). But I do need to make some changes to how I go about my life. Yesterday when I was driving and felt stress (pretty much a foreign feeling to me since I got to Ireland but especially since the solo leg of the trip), I just took some deep breaths, looked around and started smiling. And then I tried to locate the stress. It was mainly because I was unsure of where exactly I was and where I was going and then how much time did I have left to do the other things I had hoped to. I had two choices- 1. Try and fit it all in and be stressed out by cramming more things into an already full day. Or 2. Turn around and go back to Westport where I can have time built into chill out after all the driving. Completely within my control and in a matter of minutes, I was feeling much, much better and had decided to head back to Westport and save the rest for my next trip.

I pile too much on. I try to do too much. I don’t take enough time for me. I have a hard time saying no. I work too much. I don’t spend enough time with Steve. All things that can and will be changed in time. But this trip has provided me with a great start to making some changes. One of the things I’m proudest of myself for is not doing a single bit of work at all!

When I got to the hotel last night, I found myself thinking about checking work email, you know to get a head start. I mean I was just sitting there with nothing really to do. So why not? Because I’m on vacation. Because I could get out my book, get on the bed and relax! I opted against checking work email and for enjoying my last day in Ireland no matter how boring it was at the airport hotel. I know this sounds like ridiculously easy concepts- don’t work, you’re on vacation. But I typically don’t operate that way. I think, “Why NOT work? I’m not doing anything else.” Now I know the answer is because I’m more valuable than that. And that doing nothing is just as important as anything else I could do be doing. It’s what will help me slow down, maintain a somewhat balanced life and help me keep sane and somewhat stress-free. And it’s not nothing. Doing nothing is a conscious act to help restore and repair my mental and physical stability.

There have been days on this trip where I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. Feeling so happy I could feel the tears starting to form in my eyes. And being so grateful to be in these places and with these people. It's been a wonderful feeling.

It started at The Thatch when we were all learning how to dance, but really lasted all night long. Being able to have that party with those people will likely stand to be one of the most memorable experiences of my life.



Another one was when I drove into Dingle. The rolling green vibrant hills with the white spotted sheep were breathtaking and unlike anything I'd seen in Ireland before.



In Italy getting to see the Duomo for the first time, and the second time, and the third...although I was scared at the top (what, apart from it raining, it’s already a height fearing person’s semi-nightmare), it was stunning. I love knowing that Amy & Rebecca go up there sometimes to just write and draw. In contrast, in LA I guess it’d be like saying “I’m going to write and paint on the Hollywood Sign.” But this wouldn’t happen for a couple of reasons. 1. I’d get arrested. You can’t get anywhere near the Hollywood Sign, in fact if you do get too close, a helicopter will arrive within a matter of minutes to tell you to back away or you run the risk of violating a federal offense. And 2. It’s lame. Especially in comparison of saying you’re at the Duomo.



Meeting Rebecca!


On Saturday getting to walk around Venice was another huge highlight. But the moment that made me smile the most was when Amy and I were sitting on a bench in St. Mark’s Square looking out at all the gondolas waiting to be used. Although to be fair, I think the moments on Saturday when I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face was when Amy and I were purposely using the Molly Pole to take pictures just because we knew people were staring. I’d take my own picture and Amy would be off in the distance laughing while trying to get a picture of people’s reactions with her camera. I’m still smiling thinking about it. When I was done, Amy’d use the Molly Pole and I would use her camera to take pictures. We did this atop the Grand Rialto Bridge- you know, it doesn’t see too much traffic or anything :)



Tuesday up at Achill Island while I was driving around somewhat aimlessly, and there was a moment where I saw the most stunning view of the sun poking through the clouds. The sun flooded the scene below and it turned out to be an incredible picture that doesn’t look like I could have possible taken it or witnessed it. I also loved when Farmer Tom pulled over to talk with him and give me a mini history lesson on the side of the road. And the sheep in the Deserted Village where highly entertaining that day.



At 401am I woke up on Wednesday to discover that Barack Obama was going to be our next president. So many emotions were running through my head- happiness, relief, hope, fright, excitement, amazement and comforted by the thought that anything can (and just did) happen. I went back to sleep with a huge smile on my face that morning.

On Wednesday I explored some unknown territory, again, and was blown away by the beautiful mountains, lakes and everything in between that I drove through. I got out of the car a couple of times to take pictures but when I went home and saw them on the computer, they didn’t capture the magnificence.



Then on Wednesday night was one of those times. Although I technically had one more night in Ireland, I knew Wednesday was going to be my last night out. My new friend Norman invited me to his music session at a pub called The Porter house. When I walked in Norman yelled out my name and said “Obama!” with his fist pumping in the air. I felt so happy, proud to be an American, and happy to be in this pub.

I love the pub culture in Ireland. I love the idea that people spill into the pub to listen to the music knowing full well at some point almost every single person will break out into song. The music was so good and I felt so happy to be there.





And my last can’t wipe the smile off my face moment was yesterday when I was walking around Cong Abbey. I walked behind the Abbey and discovered this absolutely amazing nature trail. I stepped in crunchy leaves to get to this little fishing hut type of thing- somewhere I’ve dubbed my happy place because it was so peaceful and private and immediately helped me feel a sense of calm come over my entire body. It was incredibly serene and the soundtrack of the birds singing in the background is so full of joy and natural perfection it sounds 100% fake (I of course have the video to prove that’s not true). I found myself wishing I had more time to just walk around and get lost in the woods to take a walk without any destination. It was the perfect way to end the trip.



Ireland has always been a special place to me. A handful of the best memories of my life have happened there. And I have no doubt that there are more wonderful memories just waiting to be created the next time I go back.

As I get ready to go back home, all I can say is that I had the trip of a lifetime. I feel happy and refreshed, calm and peaceful, stress-free and balanced, restored and renewed. I have no regrets and feel so fortunate this trip went as well as it did.

Best of Molly in Ireland

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Today I feel like I found a place where I’ve never felt more at peace.

The day started off with a short walk around Westport, my home base for the past three days. I snapped some shots of where I stayed and drank and what the typical quaint Irish village looked like.









Then I drove from Westport to Galway Airport, took a taxi into the train station, hopped on a train to Dublin, took a bus to the airport and then hopped on a shuttle to the airport Hotel. It was a great day though. A lot more relaxing than it probably sounds.

Along the drive from Westport to Galway, I wanted to stop in Cong. It’s been made famous for two reasons:
1. The Quiet Man was filmed here.
2. Ashford Castle is located in Cong. It’s the best known castle in all of Ireland and was originally built as a gift for Arthur Guinness.

Steve and I actually stayed at the Ashford Castle on our honeymoon but it was the day after we arrived when we had been without our luggage for two days, felt dirty, grungy and completely out of place at arguably the nicest place we’d likely ever stay in our life. I have a feeling if we went back now, under different circumstances (read: luggage), we’d have a much more enjoyable experience. Make no mistake of it, we’d still stick out, but at least we’d be clean and somewhat presentable.



When we were here though, we barely walked around the castle grounds and we definitely didn’t go into Cong. So I made a point to stop in and explore a little before dropping the rental car off. I pulled out conveniently right outside the Tourist Office and across the street from Cong Abbey.







I walked around Cong Abbey, which was interesting enough, but continued to follow a walking path and was met with the most beautiful area. A little foot bridge took you into Cong Woods where I would have loved to spend time walking around with no actual destination in place. Unfortunately time was a big restriction for me so it’s something I’ll have to add to my to do list when I’m back next.

I was blown away by how peaceful and quiet it was. The birds were singing so beautifully I was looking around for a speaker thinking there was no way it was real (it was!). Check out a couple of super short videos below:





I walked around a bit and found a stone fishing hut that was used back in the day to catch the fish through a hole in the bottom of the hut. I stood inside, closed my eyes and listened to the water and the birds and felt nothing but gratitude for the moment and the past three weeks of my life.









I reflected on this trip and all the wonderful memories I’ve made, all the places I’ve visited and all the progress I made in having a stress free relaxing and restorative vacation. I feel more at ease than I have in a really long time and walked back to the car ready to get back on the train to Dublin and head home a more peaceful and relaxed person who stops leaving the smallest piece of bread for herself.

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Molly's Solo Adventures- Croagh Patrick, Kylemore Abbey & Westport

Today was another gorgeous day in Ireland with breathtaking views that made me ooh and ahh out loud to me and the sheep keeping me company on the drive.

I started out the day wanting to hit up Croagh Patrick, Kylemore Abbey, Connemara National Park and Clifden. It was a lot to try and fit into one day, but I was up for the challenge. I ended the day stopping sort of at Connemara National Park though. Although I'm still uncertain if I actually ever entered the National Park. After more than four hours of driving, I was tired and decided to turn around after I hit Kylemore Abbey.

I was up and out on the early side and first stopped at Croagh Patrick, a place that that is known because of a pilgrimage done in honor of Saint Patrick. Apparently on the summit of the mountain my man Saint Patrick fasted for forty days in 441 AD and people hike this all the time as some sort of remembrance. I had grand plans to hike all the way up. But I decided against hiking all the way up to Croagh Patrick for a few reasons:

1. The whole thing takes the average person 3 ½ hours to complete round trip. I’m not sure I’d consider myself average. And I had a full day of plans ahead of me.
2. I hadn’t brought any food or water with me and I hadn’t eaten breakfast before I started the climb. I realized shortly after I made my way up the path what I knew before I even started- that was really stupid.
3. It was completely fogged in and there was an obligatory sign saying that if there was fog or if the trail was wet, you shouldn’t do it.
4. The other thing was, as it turned out, I didn’t want to go all the way to the top. I saw the statue of Saint Patrick and walked up about 30 minutes. I got enough of a taste, but in keeping with doing what I wanted, I turned around when I changed my mind.

Not before getting some rad shots:


St. Patrick and Clew Bay in the background


Close-up of St. Patrick statue


The Hiking Trail


Me Deciding the Hike Probably Wasn't Going to Happen

From there I checked out a National Famine Monument which is located directly across the street and is insanely haunting. Some people refer to it as the Coffin Ship. It’s a reference specifically to the people who would crowd onto boats during the Potato Famine (1845 – 1849) and ultimately died because they were in such poor shape not eating or being filled with diseases that ultimately killed them. I’m not going to lie, it was sad and creepy, but it was beautifully done and when I first walked up to it, I had chills. A few pictures later, I got back into the car and took the long way to Clifden.





Last night I asked Eugene where his favorite part of Ireland was and he said the route to get to Clifden. He suggested I go through Louisburg, the long way, and assured me I’d see some of the most stunning landscape Ireland has to offer. I must have forgotten that because as I was driving through, I was completely blown away by the scenery. These huge mountains on either side of me. Then at one point this huge river appeared between this to create such a beautiful picture. Again, I got my camera out to try and capture this amazing scene in front of my eyes, but the pictures just don’t do it justice. Then the sheep kept appearing everywhere. At one point I pulled over to take a picture and looked to my right and saw a row boat just hanging out to help create a picture perfect shot of what I was experiencing.









The drive was a long one though and I had a lot of things I still wanted to do. After making my way through the mountains, I went to Kylemore Abbey. This is one of the most recognizable places in all of Ireland. I love it because I had a poster of this hanging up in my college room my sophomore year of college. But seeing it in person completely blows away anything you see of it in print. I paid the €12 to get onto the property and took a nice walk through the first floor of the Abbey, the grounds and into the Gothic Chapel.

Kylemore means Big Wood in Gaelic and is a reference to the oak, birch, holly, conifers and brushwood all along the lake. Although Kylemore Abbey was originally purchased as a gift from Henry Mitchell to his wife, Margaret Vaughn, it is now occupied by the Benedictine nuns and used as a private school. Not a bad place to go to school!





After walking through the Abbey, I took a short (beautiful) stroll to the Gothic Chapel which was stunning. Mitchell Henry built this between 1877 and 1881 as a memorial to his wife, following her untimely death. It was beautiful inside with stained glass windows and also encouraged you to say a prayer. They had the Prayer of St. Francis out in each pew and I couldn’t help but kneel down and read it. As far as prayers go, I felt like this was resonated with me for the most part.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.











As I left the chapel, feeling considerably lighter than when I entered, I walked back to my car and decided I wasn’t going to continue to Connemara National Park and Clifden, but rather, I’d head back to Westport so I could walk around and enjoy my last night there without feeling rushed and stressed for time.

Feeling completely overwhelmed with everything that I saw and experienced today, I was more than happy to go back to Westport for a little R&R before going out for my last night on the town.

I decided to do my own little pub crawl and ended up drinking my dinner (I had a really late lunch). I started at a place called M.J. Hoban where I was one of two people in there. Since the other patron, an Irish man speaking in Gaelic to the bartender, who was also only speaking in Gaelic, I wrapped up some postcards, downed my drink and made it out to my next pub.



This time I ended up at John J. O’Malley’s. Not much going on at this pub either. So I sat around, wrote in my journal, finished my Guinness and made my way across the street to The Porter House where Norman was playing music tonight.







I walked in and immediately felt so happy. Norman called out my name and pumped his fist in the air saying “Obama! We did it. This is Molly everyone.” For over the next couple of hours I was filled up with some of the best singing, harmonica and yes, even the Irish tin whistle playing that I’ve heard on this trip. This one man Patrick, who was also the one playing the Irish whistle, had such an unusual and incredible voice. But I was completely mesmerized and could barely turn away! Norman seemed completely at ease leading the music session, encouraging everyone to join in and choosing some really fun and funny songs to play. You couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. Except when they did last call. That made me really sad. So sad that I tried to see if we could get more to drink.





When it was obvious we wouldn’t be getting another drink there, Norman and I walked over to the Clew Bay Hotel and because I’m a “resident” there, I can get a drink whenever I want. The bar was technically closed, but Norman knew the bartender Jared and he said he’d give us one more drink. At this point I was on Pint #7 and Pack of Peanuts #3. Norman and I talked a little bit more about who knows what, took some more pictures and then when Jared offered us one more pint before he closed up the till, I said my goodnights and goodbyes, pounded a bunch of water, took two Motrin (thanks Amy!) and went to bed with a smile on my face.

I can’t believe tomorrow is my last full day in Ireland. The next two days are really all about traveling so today was really my last day of doing anything memorable here. Tomorrow’s also another day where I have five modes of transportation before my day is done and I’m at the airport hotel. I’m okay with it. Everything here has been a fun adventure and I wouldn’t change it for anything.

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